Two months ago Conchita woke with a troubling pain in her lower stomach, and she decided she needed some medical advice.

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Federal regulators are still considering allowing a claim by Merck (nyse: MRK - news - people) that its arthritis and pain-relief drug Vioxx is safer for the stomach than some other anti-inflammatory drugs.

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For some ailments, such as pain, stomach problems, or depression, every word choice, intonation, and body movement might be a potential treatment.

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